• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.765-768
• /
• 2013

Background and Aims: Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in males in many populations. Metformin is the most widely used anti-diabetic drug in the world, and there is increasing evidence of a potential efficacy of this agent as an anti-cancer drug. Metformin inhibits the proliferation of a range of cancer cells including prostate, colon, breast, ovarian, and glioma lines. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, non-coding, single-stranded RNAs that downregulate gene expression. We aimed to evaluate the effects of metformin treatment on changes in miRNA expression in PC-3 cells, and possible associations with biological behaviour. Materials and Methods: Average cell viability and cytotoxic effects of metformin were investigated at 24 hour intervals for three days using the xCELLigence system. The $IC_{50}$ dose of metformin in the PC-3 cells was found to be 5 mM. RNA samples were used for analysis using custom multi-species microarrays containing 1209 probes covering 1221 human mature microRNAs present in miRBase 16.0 database. Results: Among the human miRNAs investigated by the arrays, 10 miRNAs were up-regulated and 12 miRNAs were down-regulated in the metformin-treated group as compared to the control group. In conclusion, expression changes in miRNAs of miR-146a, miR-100, miR-425, miR-193a-3p and, miR-106b in metformin-treated cells may be important. This study may emphasize a new role of metformin on the regulation of miRNAs in prostate cancer.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.26 no.10
• /
• pp.1214-1217
• /
• 2016

Rebamipide is a mucosal-protective antiulcer drug, but its mechanism of action in gastric cancer remains elusive. CagA, a major virulence factor of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), is associated with the risk of gastric cancer. CagA protein is injected into gastric epithelial cells and deregulates a variety of cellular signaling molecules. CagA from H. pylori induces phospholipase D1 (PLD1) expression through NFκB activation in gastric epithelial cells, followed by invasion and proliferation of gastric epithelial cancer cells. Infection with cagA-positive H. pylori and expression of CagA enhances the binding of NFκB to the PLD1 promoter. Rebamipide abolishes H. pylori cagA-induced PLD1 expression via inhibition of binding of NFκB to the PLD1 promoter and also inhibits PLD activity. Moreover, rebamipide abolishes H. pylori CagA-induced β-catenin and the expression of a target cancer stem cell (CSC) marker gene via upregulation of miRNA-320a and -4496, followed by attenuation of self-renewal capacity of H. pylori CagA-infected gastric CSCs. In addition, rebamipide increases the chemosensitivity of CagA-expressed gastric CSCs and suppresses gastric carcinogenesis. Thus, it is speculated that rebamipide might show a potent efficacy as chemotherapeutic drug against gastric cancer cells. In this review, we summarizes recent results regarding the novel insights for the efficacy of rebamipide in gastric cancer cells.

• The KSFM Journal of Fluid Machinery
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.31-37
• /
• 2009

This paper presents a implantable intrathecal drug infusion pump for pain control in cancer patients. This device consists of micropump module, drug reservoir module and control module. The micropump module using cam-follower mechanism composed of small-sized four cams and four followers. Each followers is driven by a cam and liquid is discharged by a sequential reciprocal motion of the followers. The advantage of this structure is that it allows the pump to be clean and valveless. The drug reservoir module composed of drug chamber, gas chamber and diaphragm. The control module composed of battery, wireless communication unit and controller. To design a small-sized, low power pump some analysis were performed to determine the design parameters. To verify the feasibility of the experiment, a prototype was manufactured and its operating characteristics were investigated. Experimental results were in accordance with the expected results obtained from analysis.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.46-50
• /
• 2018

Cancer, a leading mortality disease following cardiovascular disease worldwide, has high incidence as one out of every four adults in Korea. It was known to be caused by several reasons including somatic mutation, activation of oncogene and chromosome aneuploidy. Cancer cells show a faster growth rate and have metastatic and heterogeneous cell populations compared to normal cells. Cancer stem cells, the most invested field in cancer biology, is a theory to explain heterogeneous cell populations of cancer cells among several characteristics of cancer cells, which is providing the theoretical background for incidence of cancer and treatment failure by drug resistance. Cancer stem cells initially explain heterogeneous cell populations of cancer cells based on the same markers of normal stem cells in cancer, in which only cancer stem cells showed heterogeneity of cancer cells and tumor initiating ability of leukemia. Based on these results, cancer stem cells were reported in various solid cancers such as breast cancer, liver cancer, and lung cancer. Breast cancer stem cells were first reported in solid cancer which had tumor initiating ability and further identified as anti-cancer drug resistance. There were several identification methods in breast cancer stem cells such as specific surface markers and culture methods. The discovery of cancer stem cells not only explains heterogeneity of cancer cells, but it also provides theoretical background for targeting cancer stem cells to complete elimination of cancer cells. Many institutes have been developing new anticancer drugs targeting cancer stem cells, but there have not been noticeable results yet. Many researchers also reported a necessity for improvement of current concepts and methods of research on cancer stem cells. Herein, we discuss the limitations and the perspectives of breast cancer stem cells based on the current concept and history.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.201-212
• /
• 2010

Self-organized nanogels from polysaccharide derivatives offer a promising approach in treatment of cancer due to their flexibility in chemistry and their ability to improve the therapeutic index of a drug by modifying biodistribution by their preferential localization at target sites and lower distribution in normal healthy tissues. These properties have promoted studies of active cancer targeting by self-organized nanogels for even better accumulation in solid tumors. However although many researchers have reported their potential by using cell culture systems and small animal tumor models in cancer therapy, these nanogels need more decoration such as conjugation with targeting moiety and endowment of stimuli-sensitivity for precise targeting of the cancer site. In this review, we summarize the recent efforts in developing novel targeting approaches via active endocytosis and stimuli-sensitive systems responding to hyperthermic or acidic tumor pH conditions.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2002

Attempts to develop drugs, specific for cancer cells, are dealt here according to the intended cell-target. While many target specific drugs were developed, they reach only moderate successes in clinics for reasons, such as, delivery problem, lack of in vivo efficacy or toxicity. However, recent efforts focusing on the diversity of tyrosine kinases, participating in cell-signal transduction, brought fruit. The first such drug, Givec, approved by the USFDA recently, is used in clinics with great success to threat CML. The drug inhibits tyrosin kinase of bcr-abl, c-abl and v-abl. Work is progressing on other tyrosin kinase inhibitors and on other type of specific cancer cell signal protein inhibitors. These efforts are hoped to yield better cures for cancer in the near future.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.18-25
• /
• 2016

Recent evidence has indicated that nano-sized vesicles called "exosomes" mediate the interaction between cancer cells and their microenvironment and play a critical role in the development of cancers. Exosomes contain cargo consisting of proteins, lipids, mRNAs, and microRNAs that can be delivered to different types of cells in nascent as well as distant locations. Cancer cell-derived exosomes (CCEs) have been identified in body fluids such as urine, plasma, and saliva from patients with cancer. Although their content depends on tumor type and stage, CCEs merit consideration as prognostic and diagnostic markers, as vehicles for drug delivery, and as potential therapeutic targets because they could transport various oncogenic elements. In this review, we summarize recent advances regarding the role of CCEs in cancer invasion and metastasis, as well as its potential clinical applications. [BMB Reports 2016; 49(1): 18-25]

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.108-113
• /
• 2023

Dyspnea is a common symptom among patients with gastrointestinal cancer, and a comprehensive evaluation of their respiratory function is essential. Self-reporting aids in the assessment of the degree of dyspnea, while objective examination methods are performed to identify the potential underlying causes when subjective symptoms are present. Standard treatment protocols should be followed for potentially reversible and common causes of dyspnea, such as pleural effusion, pneumonia, airway obstruction, anemia, asthma, exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary thromboembolism, or drug-induced interstitial lung disease. Careful and close monitoring is required due to the high frequency of pulmonary thromboembolism and the risk of cardiovascular accidents, drug-induced interstitial lung disease, or other complications from some anticancer drugs. In case of hypoxemia with an oxygen saturation of 90% or less, palliative treatment should comprise standard oxygen therapy such as nasal cannula, mask, or high-flow nasal cannula. If non-pharmacological oxygen therapy is not effective, pain control through systemic narcotic analgesics and anti-anxiety therapy with benzodiazepines may be helpful.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.12
• /
• pp.6101-6104
• /
• 2012

Background: Breast cancer accounts about one million from total annual ten million new diagnosed cases of neoplasia worldwide and is the main cause of death due to cancer in women. Tamoxifen is the most popular selective estrogen receptor modulator used in anti estrogen treatments. Tamoxifen must be converted into its metabolite endoxifen for biologic effects; this conversion process is catalysed by highly polymorphic cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6). This study surveyed copy number variation of the CYP2D6 gene and its possible correlation with Tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer patients. Methods: This case control study was performed on samples taken from 79 patients with breast cancer who used tamoxifen in Yazd and Tehran Cities, Iran. Real time reactions were conducted for 10 healthy samples using the comparative $C_t$ (Cycles threshold) method, each pair of genes being compared and samples with ratios around 1 were taken as control samples. Proliferation reactions were done by Real-Time PCR ABI Prism 7500. All registered data were transformed into SPSS 15 program and analyzed. Results: Efficiency of PCR for both CYP2D6 and ALB genes was 100%. From all 23 drug resistant patients 21.7% had one copy, 47.8% two copies and 30.4% had three copies. Also from all 56 drug sensitive patients, 26.8% had one copy, 51.8% two copies and 21.4% had three copies. The percentage of patients with one and two copies was similar between two groups but patients with three copies were more likely to belong to the drug resistant group more. Odd ratios for one and two copies were 0.759 and 0.853 respectively, indicating possible protective effects while that for three copies was 1.604. Conclusions: Based on our study there is no significant link between CYP2D6 gene copy numbers and tamoxifen resistance in women with breast cancer. But more studies considering other influencing factors appear warranted.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.129-136
• /
• 2013

Objectives: Among many new drugs that are under investigation with intent to treat cancer, oral kinase inhibitors are proven to be effective in numerous clinical trials and easy to administer. Due to these advantages the use of oral kinase inhibitors is increasing. Oral kinase inhibitors are metabolized by CYP450 which can result either increase of adverse effect or decrease of drug effect by drug interaction when used concurrently with other agents. In this research, the medication records of patients on oral kinase inhibitors from Oct. 2010 to Nov. 2011 were reviewed to investigate potential drug interactions. Methods: From Oct. 2010 to Nov. 2011, cancer patients in Inha University Hospital who took oral kinase inhibitors more than once were included. The patients' medication records were reviewed to list out concurrent medications that have interaction potential with oral kinase inhibitors, the frequency of concurrent use, and the severity of interaction result using Micromedex$^{(R)}$ and Lexicomp-online$^{(R)}$ as references. Results: As a result, 90 cases of drug with interaction potential were prescribed by Micromedex$^{(R)}$ and 179 cases by Lexicomp-online$^{(R)}$ data. In case of severity, 33.3% by Micromedex$^{(R)}$ and 26.3% by Lexicomp-online$^{(R)}$ were categorized as Major and 65.6% by Micromedex$^{(R)}$ and 72.6% by Lexicomp-online$^{(R)}$ as Moderate. The number of adverse events was 92 cases which 58.7% were on skin and 19.6% on Gastro-intestinal tract. Conclusions: Considerable number of drug with interaction potential was used though each oral kinase inhibitors showed differences in extent. Hence there exists the risk of drug interaction in patients taking oral kinase inhibitors with other drugs.